The lobby of Circa 39. The color-changing panels and fireplace flanked by red wingback chairs pull this 1930s-era complex into the 21st century. 305/538-4900, circa39.com.

Courtesy Circa 39

A guest room at Hotel Astor. The 40 beige-on-beige rooms are more spacious than those you'll find in a typical South Beach hotel. 305/531-8081, hotelastor.com.

Courtesy Hotel Astor

The exterior of Hotel St. Michel in Coral Gables, one of city's toniest districts. 305/444-1666, hotelstmichel.com.

Courtesy Hotel St. Michel

A guest room at Hotel St. Michel. Unlike many period hotels with stylized, reproduction furniture, this hotel feels like the real thing. Most of the 28 rooms feature actual antique furnishings and armoires. 305/444-1666, hotelstmichel.com.

Courtesy Hotel St. Michel

A public hallway in Hotel St. Michel. In this 1928 building, leaded-glass front doors open into a space furnished in a way that evokes a postwar Paris bistro. 305/444-1666, hotelstmichel.com.

Courtesy Hotel St. Michel

The exterior of the Hyatt Regency Miami, near the main cruise ship docks in Downtown Miami, which recently transitioned from a dead-after-business-hours district to a lively neighborhood with sky lounges atop glassy towers and posh restaurants such as P.F. Chang's. 305/358-1234, miamiregency.hyatt.com.

A guest room at Hyatt Regency Miami. The 612 rooms, renovated in 2008, have upgraded amenities that aim to please corporate road warriors, such as granite tabletops and iPod-friendly stereos. 305/358-1234, miamiregency.hyatt.com.

Courtesy Hyatt Regency Miami

The lobby at the Hyatt Regency Miami. Low, Asian-style furnishings and a profusion of orchids are a calming influence in the busiest area of this 26-year-old hotel. 305/358-1234, miamiregency.hyatt.com.

Courtesy Hyatt Regency Miami

The exterior of Indian Creek Hotel in Central Miami Beach, one residential block from the boardwalk and overlooking the pretty Intracoastal Waterway. 305/531-2727, indiancreekhotel.com.

Courtesy Indian Creek Hotel

Another exterior shot of Indian Creek Hotel. The hotel has a swimming pool, a leafy tropical garden, and the popular restaurant Creek 28 (which serves affordable Mediterranean dishes). 305/531-2727, indiancreekhotel.com.

Courtesy Indian Creek Hotel

A guest room at Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove. Decked out in beige drapes and dark-wood furniture, the 209 rooms available for nightly rental in this condo-hotel are located on floors 9 through 21. 305/529-2828, sonesta.com/coconutgrove/.

A public area inside Townhouse Hotel. In this spare 1930s building, white-on-white couches, floral armchairs, and red bicycles stationed in the terrazzo-floored lobby conjure up a beach-house vibe. 305/534-3800, townhousehotel.com.

Courtesy Townhouse Hotel

The sundeck at Townhouse Hotel, within a Frisbee's toss of the ocean. The property is also home to Bond St. an evenings-only lounge serving inventive sushi dishes created by chef Mike Hiraga. 305/534-3800, townhousehotel.com.

A bathroom at Villa Paradiso. One downside is that the bathrooms here are tiny. But the hotel has a surprisingly quiet atmosphere, given the neighborhood's party-all-night reputation. Also, it's a block from the beach. 305/532-0616. villaparadisohotel.com.

Courtesy Villa Paradiso

A public area at Villa Paradiso. 305/532-0616. villaparadisohotel.com.

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